SINGAPORE - Do not condemn Ah Boys To Men actor Noah Yap, 22, who has been caught for the use of cannabis and sent to the army's detention barracks for nine months.

So say his fellow celebrities, who are throwing their support behind him even if they do not condone his action.

YouTube entertainer and Power 98 radio deejay Dee Kosh, who is a friend of Yap's, says: "I guess everyone makes mistakes, it happens. But we shouldn't condemn him like he murdered someone. (Drug abuse) is a growing problem among young people. I'd appreciate it if everyone would stop putting him down."

Dee Kosh, 28, has known Yap for five years and they have filmed humorous videos for their YouTube channels. In 2012, Yap got his big break in local director Jack Neo's military movie series Ah Boys To Men and later also starred in Neo's The Lion Men (2014).

Yap, a full-time national serviceman, was sentenced to nine months in the Singapore Armed Forces detention barracks, the army's equivalent of prison, on Wednesday (March 2) for the use of cannabis.

Veteran actor Chen Tianwen calls Yap as a "good kid", who always remembered to greet fellow actors when they were filming The Lion Men.

Chen, 52, says: "I was shocked when I heard the news. We were all young once, and we know that temptations abound. Maybe, being army boys, they goaded one another into doing it (using cannabis). Some do it out of pride, loyalty.

"I want to tell him that even though he has done something wrong, this isn't the end of the road. After he comes out, he can still work hard at life. It's not like he killed someone or committed arson."

Another Lion Men actor Jaspers Lai, 29, also has Yap's back.

He says: "At this point of time, it is not my job to ask why he did it. As a friend, I will be there for him through this difficult period. I just hope that he will change for the better. He is still young and has a bright future ahead."

The other Ah Boys To Men stars - Tosh Zhang, Wang Weiliang, Joshua Tan and Maxi Lim - released a joint statement through their talent agency Fly Entertainment.

It said: "The boys have expressed they are shocked and saddened by the news but hope their fans and friends will continue to give Noah the same love and support."